Enjoying what is...
I'm Leslie. I love life. My life has been full of the unexpected like many. I've found the unexpected to have its own heartache and beauty. As I embrace both the heartache and surprise of life I become who I really am... I look for ways to capture goodness and hope and take great delight in sharing it.
For more photos visit Etsy- http://www.etsy.com/shop/BloomBeautiful

Friday, December 30, 2011

Mother Teresa's Anyway Poem

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

In the quieter moments of the holiday bustle I find myself rehearsing the many moments, people and things I'm thankful for. I'm thankful for Christmas at my dad's cabin in Jackson, for Karen's wonderful feast inspired by Bon Appetit, for the drive home so I can see the old-fashioned colored Christmas lights strung from pole to pole in the little pop stand towns along 93, for Christmas Eve in Alexandria on the white horse farm, for mom and stepdad's surprise visit at the Lodge with brother and grandma, for another family visit later in the day, for Christmas night by the fire with the border collie we all adore and for every moment following these. I want to remember and stay thankful but I'm finding that the way of life seems to be- be present now because a new and fresh moment will take place.

I look forward to the moments ahead but most of all I'm thankful for the moment that was and is.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Everybody wants to be understoodWell I can hear youEverybody wants to be lovedDon't give upBecause you are lovedYou are lovedDon't give upIt's just the weight of the worldDon't give upEvery one needs to be heardYou are loved

Friday, November 25, 2011

This is my wish for you: comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, sunsets to warm your heart, faith so that you can believe, laughter to kiss your lips, courage to know yourself, hugs when spirits sag, patience to accept the truth, beauty for your eyes to see, confidence for when you doubt, friendships to brighten your being, and love to complete your life.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Friday, November 11, 2011

The sweetness of the Midwest- plump, red, vibernum berries, Hugus' pink ladies, farm equipment on the side of the road and the sheep grazing contently on the hillside. Though my heart tugs towards the mountains it will always be a Midwest girl...

I do believe a small town off the beaten path in Missouri has the best concord grapes I've ever popped into my mouth. Four cartons and one tall glass of homemade grape juice later I can't wait for next September!